Denver Veterinarian
Menu
Get quotes

VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital

Updated 2026-07-10 · 1,287 reviewed · 184 listed · Scored from 946 Google reviews · How we rank ›

3.3(946) 59 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
Veterinary Dental CareLarge Animal & EquineGeneral Veterinary CareLow-Cost & Vaccine ClinicsVeterinary PharmacySurgery & Specialty CareEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian Care
VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital
Services
Veterinary Dental Care, Large Animal & Equine, General Veterinary Care
Reviews
946

What recent reviews say

VCA Alameda East draws sharp praise for specialist expertise and emergency care that puts anxious pets at ease, with multiple reviewers crediting named doctors like Dr. Mason and Dr. Malishkin for thorough preparation, clear thinking, and genuine compassion even during painful decisions. Yet a recurring dark pattern emerges: customers report aggressive treatment recommendations tied to insurance coverage, quotes double or triple what rival VCA locations charge for identical work, staff eye-rolling when financing is raised, and emergency wait times that stretch past three hours with indifferent notification. Billing errors go unresolved for months, refund requests hit dead ends, and payment plans are rejected outright, leaving elderly and insured clients feeling extracted rather than served.

Recent shift: A billing correction was made in one recent case (Review 5, edited a week ago) after the customer escalated to corporate VCA, suggesting awareness of billing problems at leadership level. However, other recent complaints (Review 6, edited a week ago; Review 7, 2 weeks ago) continue the pattern of payment inflexibility and aggressive treatment sales, indicating systemic issues persist.

Praised for
  • skilled specialty vets
  • thorough diagnostics and record-keeping
  • compassionate emergency care
  • attentive to patient anxiety
  • genuine concern for animals
Watch-outs
  • aggressive billing and upselling
  • long emergency wait times
  • profit-driven practices
  • poor customer service and communication
  • billing department errors and inflexibility
skilled-vetscompassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsclear-communicationlong-wait-timesoverpricedrushed-appointmentspushy-upsellingresponsive-emergency-caregood-with-anxious-petspoor-follow-up
Best for: Owners seeking specialty care or emergency treatment from experienced vets who listen and explain thoroughly.
Think twice if: You have insurance or limited finances; multiple reviews report billing practices tied to coverage, quotes far above competitors, and billing department refusal to resolve errors or negotiate payment plans.

Strengths

  • Specialist vets (internal medicine, neurology) with deep case preparation
  • Emergency care known for calm handling of anxious pets
  • Thorough documentation and detailed post-visit reports
  • Willing to forgo unnecessary tests when diagnosis is clear

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Mason (Internal Medicine): thorough case review, evidence-based planning, calm demeanor with anxious pets
  • Dr. Malishkin (Emergency): detailed reporting, compassionate end-of-life guidance
  • Dr. Oliver: known for cost-conscious decision-making, avoiding unnecessary testing
  • Dr. Emch: coordinates physical therapy follow-up care
  • Intensive care room cited as lacking air conditioning in at least one complaint
  • Emergency wait times reported at 3+ hours with poor staff communication
  • One customer reported $50k bill with $14k out-of-pocket; another quoted $1700 while sister VCA location (Park Hill) quoted $550 for same hernia repair

What reviews say by service

Emergency & Urgent Care
Praised for compassionate handling and detailed care, criticized for 3+ hour waits and poor communication.
Surgery & Specialty Care
Named doctors (Dr. Emch, Dr. Malishkin) earn strong praise for thorough case work and post-op follow-up; billing disputes center on inflated quotes and pressure to accept higher-cost procedures.
General Veterinary Care
Mixed: some patients report attentive primary care from named vets; others cite rushed appointments and billing friction.
Veterinary Dental Care
Limited review evidence; one mention of dental care services offered but no specific reviews of that service.

How it compares

  • Rated 3.3 against a 4.57 average across the 110 veterinary dental care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 91% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 0
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
488
4
30
3
26
2
55
1
347

Common questions

Does VCA Alameda East offer after-hours emergency care?
Yes, they staff emergency and after-hours services seven days a week.
What is the billing approach if I have pet insurance?
Reviews suggest the facility bills heavily when insurance is present; one customer reported $50k in charges where insurance covered all but $14k. Another noted aggressive pushback when financing was requested. Shop competitively: a hernia repair quoted at $1700 here was $550 at another VCA location.
How long is the typical emergency wait time?
One reviewer waited 3+ hours and was told they were fifth in line; another waited 5.5 hours with poor staff communication. Waits vary, but expect significant delays.
Request a quote

Similar veterinarian nearby

CVCA Alameda East
89

CVCA Alameda East

5.0(142)✓ Verified

Dr. LaFauci and Dr. Sharpe earn consistent praise for turning complex heart cases into manageable, understandable journeys. They explain findings step-by-step with sketches and live imaging, respond quickly to follow-up questions, and stay involved with specialist teams without charging extra. Techs like Kristina and Aiyana excel at calming anxious pets. One serious complaint flagged medication oversight for an epileptic dog; most other reviews highlight exceptional care, even post-loss condolences and tree plantings that felt personal rather than obligatory. The facility itself impresses visitors: clean, modern equipment, and unhurried appointments despite late slots. Dr. LaFauci has treated multi-generational families and earned enough trust that nervous dogs relax during visits. Staff email after-visit summaries to owners and their primary vets without being asked. Patients drive substantial distances (Colorado Springs, Castle Rock) because the cardiology expertise and attentiveness they experience here outweigh the travel.

General Veterinary CareEmergency & Urgent CareSurgery & Specialty Care
View profile
Pets R Us Aurora
70

Pets R Us Aurora

4.1(282)✓ Verified

Dr. Soliman and her team earn strong loyalty for surgical skill, pet care quality, and transparent pricing. Multiple reviewers praise her compassionate approach and willingness to explain treatment options. However, the clinic's no-entry policy frustrates many. Callers report phones go unanswered, appointment systems fail, and staff refuse walk-ins despite availability. The practice's claim to multiple veterinarians is disputed by reviewers who believe only one doctor works both locations.

Low-Cost & Vaccine ClinicsSurgery & Specialty CareGeneral Veterinary Care
View profile
Vetco Total Care
77

Vetco Total Care

4.2(397)✓ VerifiedPublishes prices

Staff treat pets like family and take time to explain findings, earning consistent praise for gentleness and candor. Most encounters are smooth, though scheduling hiccups and rare diagnostic missteps have prompted some frustration.

Low-Cost & Vaccine ClinicsGeneral Veterinary Care
View profile

Own this business? Get featured

Own or market a business here? Ask about featured placement and advertising on this directory. Your message goes straight to the directory team.

Last updated 2026-07-10